Harold Daggett, the leader of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), is facing criticism for his relationship with former President Donald Trump and his salary as the port strike continues.
On Monday night, nearly 50,000 port workers agreed to strike after a collective bargaining agreement wasn’t reached. The strike has the potential to halt imports to the United States and Daggett previously warned that it would “crush” the U.S. economy.
The strike coming a month before the election is unwelcome news for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump has long been seen as more trustworthy on the economy, although Harris has started to close the gap. People losing their jobs or an increase in inflation has the potential to erase Harris’ advances on the issue.
In the wake of the port strike starting, attention has turned to Daggett. Social media users shared a photo of him and Trump from a meeting in November. Daggett, a New York native, said in a statement in July that he’s known Trump for “decades” from New York City. He added that they’re the same age and both from Queens.
In November, Daggett met with Trump in Mar-a-Lago, which he called a “wonderful” and “productive” meeting.
“President Trump promised to support the ILA in its opposition to automated terminals in the U.S. Mr. Trump also listened to my concerns about Federal ‘Right To Work’ laws which undermines unions and their ability to represent and fight for its membership,” Daggett said.
Daggett’s statement came days after an assassination attempt on Trump’s life at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally on July 13.
Although people used the statement and photo to suggest Daggett was supporting Trump, the ILA has not issued an endorsement of either presidential candidate this year. In 2020, the ILA and Daggett supported Biden.
At the time, Daggett praised Biden for his “friendship and support,” which he said went back decades. He called Biden the best candidate to defeat Trump and “return honor, dignity and prosperity to the United States of America.”
In the 2024 election cycle, the International Longshoremen’s Association PAC has given $115,000 to Democrats and $5,000 to Republicans, according to Open Secrets.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign and Daggett for comment via email but did not receive a response in time for publication.
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Who is Harrold Daggett? What is His Net Worth?
While his net worth isn’t public information, it is known that Daggett has been president of the ILA for more than 10 years and earns a salary of $728,000, according to Politico. Daggett’s salary has come under scrutiny since the strike started.
Daggett also owns his home in New Jersey, where his primary residence is, and in Highland Beach, Florida, according to records reviewed by Newsweek. His Florida property was assessed at $1.38 million in 2023, according to records, and his New Jersey property was assessed at $2.36 million.
John LeFevre, a former investment banker, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Daggett also recently sold his 76-foot yacht, Obsession. Elon Musk posted on X that Daggett had “more yachts than me.”
Federal prosecutors allege Daggett became a top union leader, in part, because he has ties to the mafia, Politico reported. In 2005, prosecutors accused Daggett of being a member of the Genovese crime family and charged him with being part of a RICO conspiracy. A jury found him not guilty on several of the charges in 2005.
Why Port Workers Went on Strike
Workers are striking from Maine to Texas for the first time in 50 years largely because of disagreements about pay and automation. Workers were offered a 50 percent raise over six years, which is short of the 77 percent pay increase the port workers union initially demanded.
Boise Butler, president of the union local in Philadelphia, said companies made lots of money during the pandemic and now the union wants them “to pay it back.”
“They’re going to pay back,” Butler said.
Haggett has signaled that the union is prepared to strike for as long as it takes. While there was some progress being made on talks, Daggett told Fox Business that “everything is off the table.”
“Nobody’s talking right now. We got Congress trying to bring them to the table. And that’s where we are right now,” Daggett said.
What Donald Trump Has Said About Port Workers Strike
Trump told Fox Business that the strike was caused by “massive inflation,” which he blamed Biden and Harris for creating.
“Everybody understands the dockworkers because they were decimated by this inflation, just like everybody else in our country and beyond,” Trump said.
Trump later said in a statement obtained by Newsweek that the situation “should never have come to this.” He reiterated that he blamed Harris for inflation that caused the strike, calling it a “direct result of her actions.”
“American workers should be able to negotiate for better wages, especially since the shipping companies are mostly foreign flag vessels, including the largest consortium One,” Trump said.